Prayers of the People: Going to Seed, 5th Sunday after Pentecost '17 Yr A

For Sunday, July 13, 2014, Readings: Gen 25: 19-34; Ps 119:105-112; Romans 8:1-11; Mt 13:1-9, 18-23

Van Gogh's The Sower

You are in the Spirit, 

since the Spirit of God 

dwells in you.  

                                       [Romans 8:9]

         This week we have twins who fight, parents who play favorites, and the Master Gardener at work.  

        Not much new these days in the dynamics of family but in terms of our spiritual growth, it's all Good News. The seeds are already planted within us, all we need to do is till, tend, water, feed, and weed, though it's not always quite so simple. Farming is tough work, a 24/7 job on and in the ground.  Good weather and hard work yields a good crop. Bad weather and harder work and a failed crop. Try, try again to clear the rocks, cut back the thorns and clean up the path... if we want it, we've got it. And so it grows. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:     ~ Jesus, Sower of Life, You call us each and together to walk in the ways of the Spirit, and to receive, understand, and live into the Word of God. Let the seeds You have given us find good soil in our hearts and take deep root within us.

                              Lord of Mercy, Your Word lights our path

RESPONSE:   May the Spirit of God dwell within us

~ Jesus, Sower of Life, rekindle the fire of grace and goodness in the hearts of the leaders of this world, our nation, and our community. Divert them from the way of thorns into the fertile ground of fairness, honor, and virtue.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Lord of Mercy, Your Word lights our path

                       May the Spirit of God dwell within us

~ Jesus, Sower of Life, light the way to healing for those among us struggling with illness in body, mind, or heart, and ease the burden of those who care for them. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                       Lord of Mercy, Your Word lights our path

                       May the Spirit of God dwell within us

~ Jesus, Sower of Life, grant us the wisdom to carry the right comfort to those who grieve, as we, together, commend to Your care, those who have entered into immortal life in You.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                       Lord of Mercy, Your Word lights our path

                       May the Spirit of God dwell within us

~ Jesus, Sower of Life, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud………

                       Lord of Mercy, Your Word lights our path

                       May the Spirit of God dwell within us

~ Jesus, Sower of Life, grant a grower’s vitality to those chosen and anointed as the tillers of God’s verdant fields. Guide them as they encourage spiritual growth in ourselves and in community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                       Lord of Mercy, Your Word lights our path

                       May the Spirit of God dwell within us

The Celebrant adds:  O God of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, You have given us the twin gifts of good soil and good seeds planted in our fertile hearts. Grant us the willingness to tend and weed, and to nurture Your Presence within us. We ask this through Jesus, our Sower, and the Spirit, our Enricher, who live and thrive with You, One God, now and forever. Amen.

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